Clip-attaching device



May 16, 1939 G.. A. WOODRUFF 2,158,168

CLIP-ATTACHING DEVICE Filed May 9, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 `Flcs. l. 3

INVENTOR GEORGE A WOODRUFF v j? BY w ATTRNEY A May 16, 1939- G. A. WOODRUFF 2,158,168

' CLIP-ATTACHING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 9, 1938 INVENTOR GEORGE A WOODRUFF ATTORNE Patented May 16, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l g 2,158,168 CLIP-ATTACHING DEVICE George A. Woodruff, Kirkwood, Mo.

Application May 9, 1938, Serial No.

15 Claims.

perforatmg or which the clip is applied.

While the machine ing function of the machine.

A further object residesI in the provision of a machine for the purpose described, which is 206,717 (o1. 12o-s) in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse section, taken from line 4'-4 in Fig.

the clip arms 7 is turned outwardly of and at an angle to the plane of the clip, as shown. The is longer than arm "I, so that the upfmachine, shown, may

2 be formed from wire stock having a suitable tempered or spring characteristic.

Turning now to the machine for applying the clips, the mechanism thereof is disposed upon and within a substantially rectangular box-like frame or housing I5 comprised of a top wall or plate I6, side wallsl I1, end walls I8 and a bottom wall or plate I9 removably secured to the frame by screws 20. Formed centrally in the upper surface of the plate I6 and substantially coextensive with the longitudinal dimension thereof, is a relatively shallow channel 2I. The channel provides a guide-seat for a clip which is slidably displaced therealong during operation of the machine, as will later appear. The lateral dimensionof the channel, accordingly, is but slightly the width of a clip, while the channel depth is by preference, substantially equal to the diameter of the wire stock from which the clip is formed, the latter for a purpose to appear.

Overlylng a portion of the channel inwardly of the channel end-section 22, is a member 23 which may be a casting formed of a suitable material such as an aluminum alloy. The member which is secured to the housing top wall i6 as by screws 24, comprises a horizontal plate-like section 25 and a vertical or upstanding section 26 of substantially U-shape. In the under surface of the plate section 25 is formed a channel 21 which registers with the channel 2l, the channels 2l and 21 cooperating to provide a bore 2B open at each end, and of a sectional area to accommodate a clip, including the clip lip element 6. The bore is formed to provide a clearance sufficient to permita ready and easy displacement of a clip therethrough. The outer end portion of channel 21 adjacent the end 29 of plate 25, is upwardly bevelled, as at 30, for a purpose later appearing, while the plate end 29 is under-cut laterally through the plate, as at 3l, also for a purpose which will later appear.

Longitudinally spaced from member overlying the remainder of the channel 2l, is a second member 32 which, like member 23, may be an aluminum casting. The member secured to the housing plate I6 as by screws 33, is comprisedY of a plate-like section 341 and an upstanding U- shape section 35. In the under-surface of plate section 34 is formed a channel 36 extending longitudinally thereof and overlying the channel 2I, being in vertical register therewith. The two channels cooperate in forming a bore is in axial register with bore 28 and of the same sectional area.

As shown by Figs. l and 2, the U-shaped sections 26 and 35 are arranged in spaced, opposed relation and cooperate in providing a clip magazine, forming a clip-supply chamber 38 for the reception of a plurality of clips 39. The chamber is open at its upper end 49, and also at its lower or bottom end 4 I, the latter being in vertical register with the section 42 of channel 2l which axially interconnects the bores 23 and 31 heretofore described. The vertical extent of elements 26 and 35 may be such as to provide a clipmagazine of a capacity to receive within limits, any number of clips, as 50 or IDI) thereof. The clips are arranged in the magazine so that the lip 6 of each is uppermost (Fig. 2) and in vertical register with each other, and further, so that the leading end 9 of the arm 8 of each lies adjacent the inner curved surface of the U-shaped element 26". Such pre-arrangement of the clips in the magazine is effected to assure the presentation of the end 9 and lip 6 to the objects to be clamped greater thanv together by the clip, upon admission of a clip to the section 42 of channel 2I and its displacement through bore 28 to the open channel section 22, the latter constituting the zone or station of clip application. The operating mechanism for effecting displacement of a clip through the bore 2B and thence'into clamping engagement with objects to be clamped thereby, will be described hereinafter.

Formed by preference as an integral part of the member 23 and located adjacent to and on one side of the upstanding section 26 near the lower end thereof, is an element or boss 43 which is provided with a horizontal groove 44 (Fig. 5) extending through the element and the adjacent portion 45 of the section 26, in a direction transversely of member 23. Alike element or boss 46 the member 32, being similarly positioned and provided with a similarly directed groove 41. The open sides of the grooves are opposed, while the grooves are spaced apart by reason of the relative spacing of and 32. Slidably seated in the grooves and spanning the space therebetween, is a linger element or clip-separator member 48, the member being a reduced end portion or blade 49 separator member, projects inwardly of and laterally across the magazine chamber 38, adjacent the lower open end 4I thereof (Figs. 1, 2 and 5) As will be observed in Fig. 2, the blade portion 49 is spaced above the channel section 42 such that the vertical spacing of the under surface of the blade relative to the plane of the magazine bottom opening 4I is substantially equal to the diameter of thewire stock from which the clips are formed, this for a purpose later appearing. The free end 59 of the blade is preferably rounded (Fig. l), and further, is bevelled to provide a relatively for a purpose presently to appear. The outer end 5I of member 48 is coupled to actuating mechanism therefor which will be described hereinafter, while the' blade`49, when in its normal position within the magazine chamber, serves to support the clips 39 therein.

The clips 39 are continuously urged or biased downwardly in the magazine chamber, as through a member or block 52 which is slidably seated in the chamber and in engagement with the top clip of the group 39. The means for urging the block downwardly in the magazine will presently appear. slot 53 is provided in the under side of the block to receive the lip 6 of the uppermost clip, whereby the block may uniformly engage such clip as shown in Fig. 2. Thus the downward force exerted on the clip column through the block 52, is distributed equally in the column, thereby preventing jamming of the clips in the magazine.

The block 52 may be a weighted member, gravity actuated to bias the clips downwardly in the magazine. However, it is preferred in the present example to provide a mechanism for actuating the block in a positive manner. Referring to Figs. l and 5, a two-part housing structure is provided laterally adjacent the base of the upstanding elements 26 and 35 and on the side thereof opposite the bearing bosses 43--46, the structure comprising housing section 54 preferably formed as an integral part of element 26 and a mating housing section 55 formed integrally with the element 35. Journalled in the housing sections is a shaft 56 which operatively supports a drum element 51. A flexible strip 58 wound on the drum and connected thereto at the members .23rv

one end (not shown), has its end portion 59 eX- the lever automatically, by an electric motor 11 tended upwardly between the members 26 and of an electro-magnetic plunger type. 'Ihe motor 5 as shown in Fig. 5, for connection to the block is comprised of a spool-like structure formed of a 2, as by suitable screws 69. Coaxially of the cylindrical core 18 supported by end plates 19 and shaft is a spiral spring 6| having one end 62 88. The end plates are each provide-d with a secured to the housing section 55 and its opposite hanged base portion 8| whichfrests upon the botend 63 secured to the drum51, the spring serving tom housing plate I9, and is secured thereto by to wind the strip 58 thereupon. Thus through the end plates, is an energizing or eld winding the spiral spring, the strip exerts a downward bias 83 the ends of which are connected to terminals clamped thereby, the lowermost clip in the magamagnetic material and adapted for movement in Zine is admitted t0 the channel portion 42 uhde1`- a direction axially 0f the Core and through an lying the magazine in a manner' later appearing, aperture 86 provided therefor in the end plate 80.

and thence iS displaced through the bore 28 and The extent of armature movement inwardly of outwardly tlleleOf, HO Clamping engagement the core is determined by an adjustable screw 81 With Objects t0 be held tOgether. The meel'lithreaded through a boss 88 on the end plate 19 nism for effecting such clip displacelrlent-` Will and having its end 89 projected inwardly of the be now described. core for abutment with the end 99 of the arma- Seated in channel 2| for reciprocable displaceture. A knurled head 9| is formed on the outer ment within the bores -28 and 31 and the interend of the screw to facilitate manual adjustment mediate channel section 42, iS a Clip-impellihg thereof, while a locknut 92 is provided for mainmember or plunger 64, which by preference, is taining screw adjustment. formed so as to have a minimum operating clear- 'I'he opposite, normally exposed end 93 of the ance with the walls of the bores. In its initial armature carries a forked element 94 which may or inoperative position, shown in Fig. 2, the be secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by plunger is disposed within the bore 31, so that its screws 95. Ihe arms of the forked member stradleading or clip-engaging end 65 clears the lower dle rthe lever 89 at a point intermediate the lever open endv 4| of the magazine (Fig. 2). Formed ends and near the lever pivot support. Operathrough and downwardly in the housing |5. 'I'he permit pin displacement therein during pivotal lower end 1| of the lever is pivoted as by a pin 12, movement of the lever. It is to be noted here to a forked bracket 13 secured in any suitable that the forked member 94 is formed preferably manner to the bottom housing plate I9. Thus of a suitable non-magnetic material, in order the lever is adapted for pivotal movementin a to prevent a magnetization of the lever 69 and direction longitudinally of the bore 31, through plunger 64 by the armature 85 when the latter with the rear wall 14 of the plate section 34, and tion of the lever as attained by the Spring 98 on its forward travel by an adjustable means when the armature 85 is not energized, the later appearing, plunger 64 will be disposed within bore 31 such By reason of the pivotal mounting of the lever that its leading end 65 clears the clip magazine 69 and the seating of its upper end 68 in the opening 4|, while the armature 85 will be extendplunger slot 61, the lever end 68 during pivotal ed a substantial distance outwardly of the core above the plunger. Accordingly, to accommo- COHHeClOn, While the ODDOSite Spring end is condate the arcuate travel of the lever end 68 above neCted t0 an element |03 Carried by the end 0f a the plunger, the plate section 34 of member 32 screw |0|. 'I'he screw extends through a thread` is formed to provide a longitudinaI upstanding ed aperture in a bossed portion |02 of the housboss 15 which is by preference, of arcuate eoning rear end Wall I8, the Outer Screw end being or automatically by a suitable motor means. In sion adjustments thereof, this being a well known the present example and for advantageous reaexpedient employed in adjustable spring mountsons later appearing, it is preferred to actuate ings of the type shown.

Energization of the motor winding is controlled by a preferred form of switching device which is, by preference, actuatedby means located at the zone of clip application, as the end surface |04 of the housing top plate I6 in which is located the exposed portion 22 of the clip-channel 2|. Referring to Figs. l, 2 and 6, there is shown a plate |05 disposed in a vertical plane and located laterally of the housing plate |6, adjacent to and slightly above the end 29 of plate section 25. The end portion |06 of the plate |05 is by preference, curved in a direction rearwardly of the housing and out of the zone |04, and is provided with a socketed portion |01 for the operative reception of a pivot rod |08 by which the plate is supported for pivotal movement. The rod |08 extends vertically through and is journalled in an aperture |09 provided therefor in the housing plate I6, the lower end ||0 of the rod projecting inwardly of the housing for operative connection to a switch actuating arm It is noted that the socketed portion |01 of the plate |05 is provided with an extension ||2 at its lower end, which rests upon the upper surface of the housing plate I6 and serves to space the plate |05 verticallyT above the surface |04 and slightly above the end 29 of plate 25 (Figs. 2 and 6).

The switch actuating arm is preferably formed of a suitable, rigid insulating material, and as shown in Fig. l, extends horizontally toward and into abutting engagement with one of a pair of leaf springs ||3. The leaf springs are carried on opposite sides of an insulating block |i4 supported in any suitable manner from the under side of housing plate I6, each spring being connected to the block by screws I5 one of which serves as a conductor terminal. The free ends of the springs are arranged in substantially parallel adjacence and carry cooperating contacts ||6 which are normally spaced apart, as in Fig. 1. In the normal open condition of the switch, the free end of the actuating arm engages on one side, one of the leaf springs and on its opposite side a stop element ||1 depending from the housing plate |6.

The motor operating circuit comprises a conductor ||8 which connects one of the winding terminals 84 to one of the leaf spring screw terminals, and a conductor |9 connecting the opposite leaf spring screw terminal to one terminal |20 of a master switch 12|. The master switch which may be of toggle type, is preferably carried by the forward end wall I8 of the housing l5 and has its switch actuating member |22 projecting externally of the end wall for ready manipulation thereof. The opposite terminal |23 of the master Iswitch has connected thereto one lead |24 of a flexible conductor cord |25 which extends through an insulating bushing |26 seated by preference, in the end wall |8. The other lead |21 of the cord is connected to the other terminal 84 of the motor winding. The cord which may be of any length desired, is provided with a suitable plug terminal |23 for ready connection to a wall or other socket (not shown) providing a source of electric current for operating the motor. It is to be understood of course, that the master switch and the cord passage into the housing may be located at any other convenient point in the housing structure.

From the foregoing it will be observed that, assuming the plug |28 to be connected to a source of electrical energy and the toggle switch |2| closed, pivotal actuation of the plate |05 in a direction rearwardly of the housing and toward the clip magazine, will effect a circuit closure of the contacts ||6 through actuation of the leaf springs by the arm As a result, themotor winding 83 will be energized to magnetize the armature 85 and to draw the armature inwardly of the core 18 into abutment with the screw 81. The armature thus displaced, serves to pivotally actua-te the lever plunger 64 forwardly of the housing structure, through the channel section 42 and bore 28. Upon release of the plate |05, the leaf spring engaged by arm will as a result of its spring characteristic, actuate against the stop |1, thus returning the plate |05 to its normal position above the surface |04. At the same time, the leaf spring movement serves to open-circuit the contacts I6, and hence to deenergize the motor winding. There being no longer any magnetic pull on the armature 85, the armatureand lever-return spring 98 will immediately actuate these elements to their normal inoperative positions as shown in Fig. 2, whereby the plunger 64 will be retracted to its inoperative position within the bore 31.

Actuation of the lever 69 by the motor, serves, through the resulting forward displacement of the plunger 64, to displace a clip received in the channel section 42, through the bore 28 and therebeyond into clamping engagement with objects to be held together thereby. The clip as it leaves the bore 28, is acted upon by mechanism later to be described, which facilitates its application to the objects. Admission of a clip to the channel section 42, preparatory to its application displacement by the plunger 64, is effected by the clip-separator device 48 elsewhere herein described, this device being actuated preferably by the lever 69 and in timed relation to the plunger displacement, in the preferred manner now to be described.

The free end 5| of the clip-separator element 43 is pivotally connected to one end of a lever |30, as by a pin |3|, the lever being directed transversely of the element 48 and having its opposite end connected to a stub-shaft |32 which extends vertically through the housing plate I6 to the housing interior (Fig. 4). Thus the lever is supported for pivotal movement, and when actuated, serves to effect a linear displacement of the element 48. By reason of this type of mechanical connection, the end of lever |30 which is connected to the element 48 by the pin |3|, is provided with a slot |33 in which the pin seats, thus providing for lost-motion between these members.

Operatively connected to the shaft projection within the housing, is an arm |34 which is directed horizontally adjacent to and laterally of the housingplate i6, extending below and across the forward end of the plate slot 10 (Figs. 1 and 3). The free end of the arm 34 supports a pin |35 to which is connected one end of a tension spring |36. The opposite end of the spring is supported by a pin |31 depending from plate I6. The operative arrangement of the lever and arm as appears in Fig. 1, is such that the spring normally biases the arm |34 in a direction to pivotally urge the lever |30 toward the magazine structure, and through its connection with the clip-separator element 48, such lever bias serves to displace the element 48 in the direction to project its blade portion across the clip chamber of the magazine.

Actuation of the clip separator for separating the lowermost clip in the magazine from the rethe arm toward and` naning clips therein, preparatory to its displacement through bore 28, is effected through the zation of the motor, the plunger and its actuating 'fbetween the lowermost clip and the next adja- In order that the blade 49 is bevelled as shown in Figs. 2 and 8, to present a sharp entering edge |42 to the clip jaw |43 provided by the clip arm 8 and the clip lip 6 (Figs. 8 and 13). As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, each ele- 5 ment |40 is provided with slots |44 through which extend securing screws |45, the screws threadedly engaging. the housing plate I6. The slots in Fig. 2, wherein a clip is seated in channel section 42 below the clip-separator 49. At such time, the material to be clipped together, as a card and its envelope indicated at |46 in Figs. 7 and 8, is placed upon the surface |04 of the housing plate i6 so that the forward margins |41 of the card and envelope are adjacent to or abut the exposed edges |48 of the clip-spreader elements |40, the card and envelope thus overlying the channel section 22 from the zone of the elements |40 outof arm 1 engages the upper, beveled surfaces of elements |4| Thus the sharp entering edges |42 of the elements |4| are seated in the clip jaw |43.

A further displacement of the clip by plunger 64 to the position thereof shown in Figs. 9 and serves to deflect and dispose clip arm on the upper surface of elements |4| tion of the arm and the lip 6 overlie the upper surface of the card and envelope clip arm 8 is further projected beneath the card and envelope. It is to be noted that the bevel 30 in the clip channel portion above the spreader elements 4| permits the upward spread of clip arm 'l relative to arm 8, as the clip is projected through and outwardly of the bore 28, this as clearly appears in Fig. 10.

Figs. 11 and l2 illustrate the clip fully applied to the card and envelope, the end 65 of the plunger which as noted, is formed so that it may project between the elements |4|, having substantially displaced the rear end I0 of the clip between the elements |4I, as facilitated by the rounded edges |42 thereof. In the final position of the clip, the arms I and 8 fully overlap the related marginal portions of the card end envelope, and thus by reason of the spring characteristic of the clip, clamp or hold them together.

The plunger remains in its forward limit as shown in Fig. 11, until release of the plate |05, which then opens the motor switch to deener'- clip separator blade 49. Thereafter, the device is conditioned for applying the succeeding clip. It is to be understood that each clip is conveyed from the channel section 42 through the bore 28, past the spreader elements |4| and into clamping engagement with articles to be clamped together thereby, by a single, continuous forward movement of the plunger 64.

Figs. 14 and l5 illustrate a modified form and arrangement of the clip spreading elements, providing a displaceable mounting thereof for facilitating a ready and easy passage of a clip thereby. In the modification, each spreader element |50 is substantially identical to the elements in respect to the clip-engaging portion |4|, here designated by the same numeral of reference. Each element is provided with a slot |5| rearwardly adjacent the end |4|, and seated in the slot is a shouldered portion |52 of a securing screw |53 which threadedly engages the housing plate |6. By reason of the shouldered screw and slot |5|, the element |50 is adapted for longitudinal displacement, the eX- tent of such displacement being limited preferably by a pin |54 carried by an adjustable member |55 and seating in a slot |56 formed in the outer end portion of element |50. The member is adjustably secured to the housing plate I6 by screws |51 extending through a slot |58 formed in the member.

The elements |50 are each provided with an additional slot |59 located intermediate the slots |5| and |56, for the reception of the upper end |60 of a biasing lever |6|. The lever extends through a slot |62 formed therefor in the plate I6, and inwardly of the housing for pivotal connection as at |63, to a frame |64 secured as by screws |65 to the underside of plate |6. One end |66 of a suitable tension spring |61 is secured to one of the levers, While the opposite end |63 of the spring is connected to the other lever through an adjustable element or screw |69. Thus the levers each other by the spring, and this serves through the lever ends |60 in the slots |56 of the spreader elements, to effect a displacement bias of the elements toward each other, being adjustably limited in this respect by the pins |54. The clip-engaging ends |4| of the elements |56 are normally related as heretofore described, this in the present instance being effected through adjustment of the pincarrying members |56 such that the pins engage the rear ends of the slots |56 when the desired of the ends |4| is attained.

The spring k maintain such relation of the elements |50 until they are urged apart against the spring tension, by a clip displaced past the spreader ends |4|. During displacement of a clip past the ends |4| and into clamping engagement with` the objects to be held together, the rear end I0 of the clip will engage the ends |4| and in passing thereby, will urge the spreader elements apart, thus facilitating an easy passage of the clip end |0 past the spreader ends |4|.

From the foregoing description of the improved clip appliance, it will be observed that the device presents a compact and positively acting mechanism for applying clips in an automatic manner, to objects to be held together thereby. Moreover, damage to the operating mechanism which might result from jamming of an abnormally formed or bent clip in the bore 28, or in its displacement past the clip spreader elements, is eifectively precluded by reason of the magnetically actuated, plunger type motor utilized to operate the mechanism, this providing a cushioned drive as will be readily understood.

The preferred embodiments of the invention herein illustrated and described are not to be taken as limiting the invention thereto, but it is to be understood that alterations or modifications in the parts or arrangement thereof may be made within the spirit and intended scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the type described for application of spring clips, the combination of a magazine for holding a supply of said clips, clip receiving means, means serving to bias the clips in said magazine toward said receiving means, and clip applying means including elements operable in sequence, displacement of a clip 1n said receiving means and into clamping engagement with articles to be held thereby, and another adapted for biasing or loading parts of the clip during its displacement, in a manner to facilitate its engagement with said articles.

2. In an attaching device for clips of a type characterized by resilient, self clamping arms, means forming a clip channel, a reciprocable clipimpelling member operable to move a clip to be attached, through said channel, actuating means of electromagnetic type for operating said member, and arm-deflecting means engaged by the clip when impelled to a predetermined position in said channel.

3. In an attaching device for clips of types characterized by resilient arms, means forming clip application station associated with said channel, a plunger operable in the channel in impelling relation to a clip therein, actuating means of electromagnetic type for operating said plunger, an energizing circuit for said actuating means, a circuit control switch means therefor, located in the zone of said clip application station, arm deecting means engaged by the clip when impelled by the plunger to a predetermined position in the zone of said application station, and means locating sheet elements or the like, in a position to extend between the arms ofv the clip when the clip is in said predetermined position in the zone of said application station.

4. In an attaching device for clips of types characterized by resilient arms, means for impelling a clip to a position to be attached, means for spreading the clip as it approaches a position of attachment, means for feeding the clips, one

one thereof adapted to effectat a time, to a position of engagement by the'im'- pelling means, said feeding means being operable in timed relation to said clip impelling means.

5. In an attaching device for clips of types characterized by resilient arms, means for impelling a clip to a pos'tion to be attached, means for spreading the clip as it approaches a position of attachment, and means for feeding the clips one at a time, said feeding means being operable by said clip-impelling means.

6. In an attaching device for clips of types characterized by resilient arms, means'f'or impelling a clip to a position to be attached, means for spreading the clip as it approaches a'po'sition of attachment, means for feedingthe clips,one at a time, to a position for impelling means, said feeding 'means being 'operable in timed relation to said clip-irripelling means, and means loc ting sheetieler'nents or' the movement by the like in a position to extend between the arms f plication of clips of resilient, self-clamping type, clip supplying magazine, a clip application station at which are arranged articles to be engaged by a clip, and clip applying 10. In a machine of the type described, the

combination of a clip-supplying magazine, clip clamping engagement with said articles, and

thereof to said receiving means.,

12. In a machine for the purpose noted, coinmovement, adapted for spreading a clip, prior to with said articles.

13. In a machine of the type described, the combination GEORGE A. WOODRUFF. 

